836 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



on a commercial scale ranges from 45 to 75 cts. per pound for cured leaf. A 

 shelter tent experiment at Cocalico proves that a leaf can be produced which 

 approaches the average imported Sumatra in color, luster, fineness of vein, 

 wrapping capacity, and burn. A strain has been developed which is adapted to 

 the Pennsylvania sandy loam and to the particular climatic growing conditions. 



1909 experiment with Sumatra tobacco under shelter, E. K. Hibshiian 

 {rciDi.y/Irania Stu. Rpt. WW, pp. 236-2 J8).— Using the Greider strain of Con- 

 necticut Sumatra seed a crop of 377.5 lbs. of stripped leaf was produced in 1909 

 at a cost of $262.67. The cost of handling the cured leaf, sweating, sorting, 

 losses of weight during the process and interest on the investment brought the 

 net cost per pound in this unfavorable year to about $1. 



Roumanian wheat, A. Zahabia (Der Rumdnische Weizen. Bucharest, 1911, 

 pp. VIII +177, map 1). — This is a controversial article with reference to the 

 relative merits of Hungarian and Roumanian wheats. In connection with the 

 discussions presented, considerable experimental data are given, mainly with 

 reference to the crops for the years 1900-1908. 



The eradication of quack grass, J. S. Gates {U. S. Dopt. Agr., Farmers' 

 Bui. 46Jf, pp. 11, figs. 6). — Descriptions of the underground stems of quack grass 

 (Agropyron repens) and of the varying development of these roots in cultivated 

 fields, meadow lands, and pasture land are followed by directions for the eradi- 

 cation of the pest, either by plowing the sod in midsummer and disking about 

 once in 10 days until fall or by disking alone. 



HORTICULTURE. 



[Horticultural investigations in Alaska], C. C. Geobgeson et al. (Alaska 

 Stas. Rpt. 1910, pp. W-l.'i, 16-29, 53, 68, 59, pis. 3).— The work of greatest inter- 

 est at the Sitka Station during the past j-ear was the cultivation of hybrid 

 strawberries (E. S. R., 23, p. 639). An increased number of promising varieties 

 was secured. Thus far 166 out of 1,800 fruiting plants have yielded market-size 

 fruit and 35 plants have produced larger berries than the average market 

 variety. Crossing the cultivated forms with a native wild berry has, with a 

 few exceptions, improved the flavor. This work is discussed and illustrations 

 are given of a number of the hybrid types secured. 



Notes are given on the condition and behavior of vegetables, orchard and 

 small fruits, and ornamentals being tested at the station. The test orchard, con- 

 sisting of a few trees each of a number of varieties of apples, as well as some 

 cherries and plums, is making but slow progress. After several years of obser- 

 vation it seems probable that apples of any of the varieties now known and cul- 

 tivated can not be successfully grown in any part of Alaska. Although cherries 

 have made better growth than apples, nearly all of them blooming in the spring 

 and in favorable seasons fruiting a little, it is considered doubtful whether they 

 can be made to fruit in any part of Alaska when grown in the open. The plum 

 trees are not yet large enough to fruit, but judging from their growth it seems 

 probable that they will not be successful. Of the small fruits, currants, goose- 

 berries, and red raspberries do well. Black raspberries and the blackberry are 

 complete failures in Alaska. The hybrids between cultivated and native rasp- 

 berries have thus far shown no improvement over the parents (E. S. R., 20, 

 p. 143). 



Of the ornamentals tested the Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) is in the first 

 rank and several varieties of the Tartarian honeysuckle are next in point of 

 value. 8pir(ea thunhergii, Berber is sp., the red berried elder (Sambuens 

 pubens), and the mountain ash, together with a number of perennial and annual 

 flowering plants can be grown successfully. 



